Childcare entrepreneurs will soon be able to apply for start-up grants, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday, to help lower the cost of starting a childcare business in the state.
The $23 million in funding is part of Caring for Mi Future, a $100 million plan to open or expand 1,000 childcare programs by the end of 2024, according to Whitmer’s office in a Thursday press release. Caring for Mi Future is one piece of a “historic” $1.4 billion investment to expand access to quality, affordable childcare for Michigan families.
Applications for startup grants are set to open on Nov. 7, and those interested should apply through the Our Strong Start website, according to the state.
“As a mom, I know firsthand that high-quality, affordable child care is essential so parents can go to work knowing their kids are safe and cared for,” Whitmer said in the release. “In Michigan today, we have a shortage of childcare providers that meet people’s needs in their communities, and I am proud that we have been able to work across the aisle to make a record investment in child care.”
She continued, “we have expanded access to low or no-cost child care to 150,000 more kids and set forth a goal to establish or expand 1,000 new childcare facilities by the end of 2024 under the Caring for Mi Future initiative.”
Start-up grants are to be available for two groups:
- Childcare entrepreneurs who have not yet completed the process of becoming licensed will have access to funding for securing a location, fire and health inspections, and items necessary for opening their businesses.
- Childcare entrepreneurs who were recently licensed to help with classroom supplies, staff recruitment and other costs associated with opening a new business.
“Quality child care programs are the ‘silent drivers’ of our economy,” Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Director Orlene Hawks said in the release “Without safe, reliable and affordable child care, many parents would have fewer choices to support their families, realize their dreams and maximize their potential.”
Entrepreneurs interested in opening or expanding a childcare program and receiving start-up grants can connect with a trained childcare navigator to access prelicensure and start-up grants, as well as other business support services, through the Our Strong Start program.
The program was launched by LARA’s Child Care Licensing Bureau in September of this year. It is hosting two webinars for entrepreneurs interested in applying for start-up grants: 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 and 12 p.m. on Nov. 4. Those interested can sign up for the webinars at the Our Strong Start website in preparation for grant applications opening.
“Child care is important to our family and has allowed me to return to work,” Jayne Monroe of Commerce Township said in the release. “One of my children requires specialized care that is difficult to find, and we waited almost a year until an opening for him became available. I’m glad that the state is taking the initiative and making the investment in expanding child care for children of all abilities.”
Additionally, more families are eligible for help paying for child care than you might think.
To see if you qualify, visit the Michigan Department of Education and Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s online eligibility calculator. It will determine in less than two minutes if you could get lower childcare costs.
Families can visit Michigan.gov/childcare for a complete list of reasons they may qualify for low or no-cost child care and qualifying income levels for larger families.
